Ketchikan has job potential. Alaska had 21 years of job gains up until 2009. After a year without, Alaska added 1,800 jobs in 2010 and 5,200 in 2011, according to the Alaska Department of Labor.

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Former Ketchikan resident Mike Thomas, 47, died Dec. 20, 2011, in Mohave, Ariz. He was born in Salem, Ore., on Nov. 25, 1964, but was raised in Ketchikan.

Sixty-eight years ago, 183 Japanese warplanes demolished the U.S. Pacific fleet docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing more than 1,000 soldiers and marking the moment when the United States realized it no longer could stay out of World War II.

To remind Alaskans of that tragic day in U.S. history, Gov. Sean Parnell has ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday.

In a Friday statement, Parnell said, "The brave men and women of our armed forces during World War II are remembered for their courage, selfless dedication and sacrifice.

"We honor their service by doing our best to ensure the continued blessings of liberty and freedom for our children and our grandchildren.

"I ask that all Alaskans pause and remember our veterans across the state for their bravery and heroism."

It is particularly relevant now to remember and honor veterans from all of America's conflicts through the years, and to honor those soldiers still fighting for us overseas.

We appreciate our troops, past and present, as they risk their lives to protect our freedom.

Thank you.